Tim Lake
Potter based in Wales
“I MAKE POTS. POTS TO BE USED, POTS TO BE LOOKED AT AND MOST OF ALL POTS TO BE ENJOYED. I LOOK TO IMPART VIBRANCY AND LIFE INTO MY POTS, ALWAYS TRYING TO BRING THE SOFTNESS AND SUPPLENESS OF THE MATERIAL THROUGH TO THE END OF THE PROCESSES. HOPEFULLY POTS THAT ARE BOTH VITAL AND VIBRANT WHILST MAINTAINING A QUIET PRESENCE.”
Tim Lake creates opportunities within his working practice to allow variation and serendipitous possibilities to happen in the making and firing. Tim introduces rogue elements such as raw, unrefined local materials into his clay bodies and places specific pots in particular areas of the kiln to take advantage of the flame path. These determined areas and use of materials embrace the brunt and force of the flames as they flow throughout the kiln during firing. The pieces emerge from the kiln marked with the individual story of each firing and making. The introduction of the local, unrefined, found materials inevitably link the pieces to the place they were made.
Tim makes a variety of forms, ranging from vases and lidded containers to drinking cups and pouring bowls. All work is stoneware and most of it is thrown and turned on a slow turning kick wheel, but Tim also produces various slab built plates and trays. All the work is fired to between 1280°C–1300°C in a gas and wood kiln.
